Surf's up, coastal crew! Get ready for a sizzling day along West Central and Southwest Florida's beaches. We're looking at a mostly sunny paradise with water temps in the mid 80s and just enough excitement to keep things interesting.

Today's vibe is warm and breezy, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 80s and even pushing 90 in some spots. Southwest winds will be dancing at 5 to 10 miles per hour, perfect for cooling things down. But don't let the calm fool you - we've got a moderate thunderstorm potential brewing, so keep an eye on those skies.

UV index is cranked up to very high, so sunscreen is your best friend today. Lightweight protection and plenty of water are must-haves. The surf is keeping things mellow with waves barely touching 1 foot, making it ideal for casual swimmers and paddleboarders.

Rip current risk remains low across our coastal zones, but veteran beach-goers know to stay alert near jetties, piers, and reefs. Those areas can surprise even experienced swimmers.

As the day rolls into evening, expect partly cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms playing hide and seek. Temperatures will drift down to the upper 70s, maintaining that classic Florida evening warmth.

Friday continues the tropical theme - mostly sunny with numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. Winds will pick up slightly to 10-15 miles per hour, adding a bit more energy to our coastal dance.

Tide watchers, mark your calendars: Cedar Key and Saint Petersburg have some sweet high and low tide times to plan around. Venice Inlet and Fort Myers Beach are also serving up some primo tide schedules.

Stay cool, stay safe, and enjoy that Florida sunshine!